Chase Reece, BSHP '24

My work today focused on creating a poster that explores the physical health and injuries of rural farmers in Georgia. This poster is based on the findings of qualitative interviews that occurred with 15 farmers throughout the state. The aim of the research is to characterize the physical health and injuries of farmers so that treatments can be better tailored to maximize effectiveness. Farmers experience some of the highest rates of work-related fatal and non-fatal injuries, and it is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations. Additionally, there are many unique risks and hazards presented to those in farming. Some of the most common hazards include machinery, livestock, and chemical exposure. Farmers commonly have less healthcare utilization and lower access to care than the general population. Reasons for this include rurality, stigma, pride, and privacy. Because farmers report feelings of disconnect from their physicians and often feel that their healthcare providers have a misunderstanding of farming culture, it is important to identify the most common injuries and health conditions among this population so that healthcare professionals can provide better care.